Less Saying, More Doing

January 22, 2020

DAILY READINGS

Matthew 5:1-11

This weekend’s reading:Ecclesiastes 3:18

FIELD NOTES

Ah, the Beatitudes. They are so familiar. At the same time, so comforting and so complicated. So today, I think it might be worth re-reading. Read through the beatitudes again, this time Eugene Peterson’s Message translation and see if you hear them any differently.

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

There’s something a little jarring and helpful about hearing familiar words in a new way. Especially when it feels like there can’t be anything new to say about a text. Shane Claiborne has said, “Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.”

So let’s do that today. Let’s live the beatitudes today. Even if you pick just one and spend your day praying it and looking out for ways to live into it. I bet you will find yourself blessed indeed.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Which of the beatitudes needs your prayerful attention today?
  

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• How can our family practice one of these beatitudes together?
  

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for this message you preached so long ago. Thank you for the reminder that the words mean even more when we find a way to live them out. So Jesus, give me the insight today to see places where I can be your hands and feet. Where I can experience your blessing and maybe even be used to bless someone else. Open my eyes to what you are up to today. Amen.